Motor vehicle locking device

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle locking device, in particular a motor vehicle lock, preferably a motor vehicle cover lock (1), which is equipped with a locking mechanism (4, 5) mainly comprising a bolt (4) and a pawl (5). Furthermore, an ejector rod (7), which is preloaded by means of a spring (6), is provided for loading the locking pin (3) which interacts with the locking mechanism (4, 5). According to the invention, the spring (6) is designed as a helical torsion spring (6) which is fastened to a bearing mandrel (8) defining the axis of the ejector rod (7).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a motor vehicle locking device, in particular a motor vehicle lock, preferably a motor vehicle hood lock, which has: a locking mechanism mainly comprising a lock tongue / ratchet and a lock claw / ratchet; an ejector rod preloaded by a spring, the ejector rod is used to load a lock pin that interacts with the locking mechanism. Background Art

[0002] Motor vehicle locking devices are often faced with the problem that rattling noises may occur during operation of the motor vehicle. This can often be attributed to the fact that hoods, covers, doors, hatches, etc., which are fixed relative to the motor vehicle body by means of the motor vehicle locking device, move relative to the relevant motor vehicle body during operation. For this reason, in motor vehicle locks, preferably motor vehicle hood locks, the operation is such that the ejector rod loads the locking pin. This is ensured by a spring which accordingly preloads the ejector rod.

[0003] Here, the following measures are usually taken, that is, the ejector rod preloaded by the spring abuts against the locking pin on the bottom side and transfers it into the clamping position. The locking pin is usually located in the entry opening of the locking tongue. Since the locking pin has a certain clearance with respect to the entry opening, the ejector rod preloaded by the spring ensures that the locking pin is fixed in the clamping position within the entry opening in the locked position of the locking mechanism. For this purpose, the locking pin typically abuts against the catch leg of the locking tongue.

[0004] In practice, the following design is usually adopted, that is, the locking tongue has an associated catch leg and a stop leg, which define the access opening between each other. Now, with the help of an ejector rod, taking into account the spring force on the ejector rod, the locking pin can be placed against one of the two legs inside the access opening. This is usually the catch leg. In this way, it is ensured that the relative movement between the locking pin and the locking tongue or the locking mechanism or inside the access opening, which takes place during the operation of the motor vehicle locking device, does not (any more) take place.

[0005] According to the prior art of this type described in DE 10 2006 002 338 A1, the following measures are taken here, that is, a so-called lifting component is provided as an ejector rod. The lifting component is loaded by means of a force storage device, and the front cover on the locking pin is transferred to the raised position in this way. The force storage device can be a leaf spring that overlaps each other. The leaf spring is engaged on the lifting component or the ejector rod from the outside. This situation is relatively complicated in terms of installation technology, because on the one hand, the leaf spring must be installed inside the housing that receives the motor vehicle locking device, and on the other hand, the lifting component or the ejector rod must be installed next to other elements of the motor vehicle locking device. In addition, the "use of an additional leaf spring connected to the lifting component or the ejector rod" leads to a relatively lengthy structure.

[0006] In the known teachings, the ejector lever is loaded by means of a force accumulator or a leaf spring in such a way that the vibration situation is improved overall. In practice, such vibrations occur, for example, in the hood of a motor vehicle when the motor vehicle travels over uneven roads or when different aerodynamic forces act on the hood due to different speeds. Even when the hood is in its locked state relative to the motor vehicle body, wind forces or side winds can lead to corresponding movements of the hood, and this also applies to the motor vehicle locking device. Summary of the invention

[0007] The object of the present invention is to further develop such a motor vehicle locking device in such a way that rattling noises are always avoided in a functionally satisfactory design, with an aim being given to a particularly compact and easily installable variant.

[0008] In order to solve this technical problem, a motor vehicle locking device of this type is characterized within the scope of the invention in that the spring which preloads the ejection rod is designed as a helical torsion spring which is fixed to a bearing mandrel which defines the axis of the ejection rod.

[0009] According to the invention, therefore, a special spring is first used, namely a helical torsion spring with a winding section and two legs extending from the winding section. In this case, the helical torsion spring in question is fastened to a support mandrel. The support mandrel serves to define the axis or axis of rotation of the ejector rod. In this way, it is already possible that the helical torsion spring in question, the support mandrel and the ejector rod together define or can define a structural unit.

[0010] In practice, it is advantageously provided that the helical torsion spring in question, together with the bearing mandrel and the ejection rod, defines as a whole a structural unit that can be fixed in a locking manner on the housing of a motor vehicle locking device. This allows particularly simple assembly and at the same time a compact design. In contrast, such sequential assembly is not possible in the prior art of the type described in DE 10 2006 002 338 A1.

[0011] Therefore, in the known teachings, the ejector rod, the associated spring and the bearing spindle are fixed in or on the housing of the motor vehicle locking device and installed thereon in a manner significantly separated from one another, which is particularly time-consuming and also requires the individual elements to be aligned relative to one another.

[0012] At the same time, a solution that always meets the functional requirements is provided within the scope of the invention, since possible rattling noises of, for example, a hood or hatch are simultaneously prevented by means of the helical torsion spring. To this end, in detail, the helical torsion spring is usually designed to surround the relevant bearing mandrel with its winding section. The helical torsion spring is usually designed such that the helical torsion spring acts on the ejection rod with its movable leg, while the fixed leg of the helical torsion spring is fixed to the housing of the motor vehicle locking device.

[0013] The movable leg of the helical torsion spring can thus move with the ejector rod and ensure that the ejector rod rests against the locking pin in a spring-loaded manner. The ejector rod usually rests against the bottom edge or the arc of the bottom side of the locking pin. The locking pin itself is fastened to the cover or hatch. In this way, the helical torsion spring ensures that in the locked position of the locking mechanism, the locking pin inside the access opening is pressed against one of the two legs of the locking tongue by means of the spring-loaded ejector rod. This leg is usually the catch leg of the locking tongue. As a result, any rattling noises of the relevant cover or hatch during operation are effectively suppressed right from the start.

[0014] A particularly simple and functionally suitable mounting is provided if the wrap-around section surrounding the support mandrel is placed or is placed on the relevant support mandrel. Furthermore, for actuating the ejector rod, the movable leg of the helical torsion spring, which moves with the ejector rod, engages at the bottom side with a contact edge of the ejector rod for a locking pin which contacts the ejector rod.

[0015] That is, the locking pin usually rests with its bottom edge or its curved section on the associated contact edge of the ejector rod. The contact edge of the ejector rod itself is engaged on the bottom side by a movable leg as a component of the helical torsion spring. As a result, the movable leg of the helical torsion spring can directly and elastically load the contact edge of the ejector rod and thus the locking pin.

[0016] In contrast, the fixed leg is usually locked and engaged in the opening in the housing. That is to say, the fixed leg finally ensures the locking connection of the structural unit composed of the spiral torsion spring, the support mandrel and the ejector rod on the housing in this case.

[0017] Furthermore, it has proven to be advantageous if the legs adjoining the wrap-around section, that is to say the movable leg and the fixed leg, enclose an obtuse angle with one another. This obtuse angle takes into account the installation conditions and the topology of the ejector rod. In this case, the ejector rod is usually mounted coaxially with the pawl. Accordingly, the common axis of the ejector rod and the pawl is spaced apart from the axis of the locking tongue and thus also from the entry opening of the locking tongue in which the locking pin is caught.

[0018] Therefore, the ejector lever is usually designed as a double-arm lever, which has a contact edge for the locking pin on one of its lever arms and a connection for additional manual or electric loading on its other, opposite lever arm. The more or less extended or obtuse-angled design of the ejector lever, similar to the double-arm design, also reflects that the helical torsion spring is also designed with an obtuse angle according to the design of the ejector lever.

[0019] Finally, it has proven to be particularly advantageous in this respect if the vertex of the obtuse angle enclosed by the two legs is arranged in the region of the highest point of the wrap-around section in the installed position. That is, if the motor vehicle locking device is installed in or on the associated motor vehicle, the vertex in question is located at the highest point of the wrap-around section. This highest point is usually set in the direction of the so-called vertical axis or Z direction. As a result, the fastening leg can first be locked into the opening of the housing particularly easily. The opening in question is usually located on the short L-leg of the housing, which is usually L-shaped, or of the lock box, which is usually implemented here.

[0020] The short L-legs in question, in the installed position of the motor vehicle locking device and thus of the housing, usually extend in the vehicle transverse direction or Y direction. In contrast, the long L-legs, on which the locking mechanism and the ejection lever are typically supported, are usually oriented in the Z direction in cross section or their longitudinal extent is arranged in the transverse direction or Y direction.

[0021] In this way, the apex or highest point of the winding section is arranged directly adjacent to the short L-leg of the housing. Thus, the helical torsion spring sleeved on the support mandrel is additionally fixed in the interior of the housing, because the winding section cannot leave or loosen from the support mandrel.

[0022] Thus, a motor vehicle locking device is provided, which is particularly compact, can be easily installed, and at the same time suppresses possible rattling noises of the front hood, tail hood, general hood or door on the motor vehicle equipped with the motor vehicle locking device. This can ultimately be attributed to the special helical torsion spring that loads the ejector rod and its design. In fact, the helical torsion spring is thus considered to be a component of the locking connection that is realized here and is also releasable in principle, of the structural unit consisting of the helical torsion spring, the support mandrel and the ejector rod. A locking connection is provided here between the fixed leg of the helical torsion spring on the one hand and the opening in the housing of the motor vehicle locking device on the other hand. This is a major advantage of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The invention is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings which show only one exemplary embodiment. Figure 1 An overview of a motor vehicle locking device according to the invention is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] exist Figure 1 1 shows a motor vehicle locking device, which is usually designed as a motor vehicle lock, specifically as a motor vehicle hood lock 1. Figure 1 The motor vehicle hood lock 1 shown in the figure can lock and close the front hood 2, which is only schematically shown here. For this purpose, a locking pin 3 is coupled to the front hood 2 or connected with the front hood 2, which itself interacts with locking mechanisms 4, 5 as an essential component of the motor vehicle locking device or motor vehicle hood lock 1.

[0025] Specifically, the locking mechanism 4, 5 mainly includes a lock tongue 4 and a lock claw 5. The lock tongue 4 has a stop leg 4a and a capture leg 4b, and the stop leg and the capture leg define an entry opening between each other. Figure 1 In the locked position or main locking position shown in FIG. , the cam is completely moved into the access opening and is held therein.

[0026] In this case, an ejector rod 7 is also provided for loading the locking pin 3, which is preloaded by a spring 6. The ejector rod 7 is preloaded by means of the spring 6 in such a way that the locking pin 3 is held against the catch leg 4b inside the entry opening according to this embodiment, so that any rattling noise or relative movement of the locking pin 3 inside the entry opening of the locking tongue 4 between the stop leg 4a and the catch leg 4b is suppressed. This is schematically illustrated by Figure 1 The arrows in the figure indicate the

[0027] It can be seen that the locking pin 3 is designed in an arc or U-shaped manner within the scope of this embodiment and rests with its bottom edge or bottom side on the ejection rod 7 in question, specifically the abutment edge 7a of the ejection rod 7. The ejection rod 7 itself is supported on a support spindle 8 as a rotation axis. The locking tongue 4 is rotatably supported by means of another support spindle 9. The two support spindles 8, 9 each define a rotation axis that extends mostly parallel to each other and are uniformly rotatably supported in a housing or lock box 10 of a motor vehicle locking device.

[0028] In this embodiment, the lock box 10 is L-shaped in cross section with a long L leg 10a and a short L leg 10b. The locking mechanism 4, 5 and the ejection rod 7 are supported on the long L leg 10a of the lock box 10. In contrast, the short L leg 10b typically and in most cases ensures the reinforcement of the lock box 10. In addition, the following design is adopted as a whole, that is, in the motor vehicle locking device or motor vehicle hood lock 1, the locking mechanism 4, 5 and the ejection rod 7 are supported on the long L leg 10a of the lock box 10. Figure 1 In the installation position shown in FIG. 1 , the long L leg 10 a is oriented in cross section for the most part in the vertical axis or Z direction of the motor vehicle and extends in the longitudinal direction in the vehicle transverse direction or Y direction. The short L leg 10 b of the lock box 10 extends in its longitudinal length in the relevant Y direction or transverse direction and in its width in the longitudinal direction or X direction, which is Figure 1 It is not explicitly shown in the figure but only indicated by dots.

[0029] Of course, these position and orientation specifications are only examples, since the relevant motor vehicle locking device can usually also be oriented and arranged in the longitudinal direction or X direction of the motor vehicle with the longitudinal length of the lock box 10. In this case, for example, two motor vehicle locking devices are provided on both sides of the cover or front cover 2. However, this is not shown in detail.

[0030] In any case, the spring 6 mentioned above and loading the ejector rod 7 is designed as a helical torsion spring 6 according to this embodiment. In addition, the helical torsion spring 6 is fixed to a support mandrel 8 defining the axis of the ejector rod 7. The following design is adopted here, that is, the helical torsion spring 6 in question surrounds the support mandrel 8 with its winding section 6a. In the scope of this embodiment, it can be seen that the winding section 6a surrounds the supporting mandrel 8 in question at a distance, so that between the two legs 6b and 6c protruding from the winding section 6a, when the diameter of the winding section is reduced or increased, the movement can be easily transmitted to the winding section 6a.

[0031] In practice, the following design is adopted, that is, the spiral torsion spring 6 uses its movable leg 6b to load the ejection rod 7. In other words, the movable leg 6b moves together with the ejection rod 7. In contrast, the other second leg is fixed to the housing, specifically the lock box 10, as a fixed leg 6c.

[0032] For this purpose, the movable leg 6b engages on the bottom side the previously mentioned abutment edge 7a of the ejector lever 7 for the locking pin 3, which abuts against the ejector lever. Conversely, the fixed leg 6c of the helical torsion spring 6 engages in a locking manner in the opening 11 in the housing 10 or the lock box 10. Specifically, the opening 11 is provided and realized in the short L leg 10b of the L-shaped lock box 10.

[0033] It can be seen that the two legs 6b, 6c of the helical torsion spring 6, which are connected to the winding section 6a, enclose an obtuse angle α with each other as a whole. Here, the two legs 6b, 6c extend from the vertex S of the relevant angle α. Here, the obtuse angle α between the two legs 6b, 6c is designed to be similar to the obtuse angle of the two lever arms of the ejector rod 7. In practice, the ejector rod 7 is equipped with a lever arm that carries the contact edge 7a and a further lever arm 7b, which enclose an obtuse angle with each other in a manner similar to the two legs 6b, 6c of the helical torsion spring 6. A handle or a drive device may be connected to the other arm 7b of the ejector rod 7, or it may not be connected to a handle or a drive device.

[0034] The helical torsion spring 6 is placed with its winding section 6a on the support mandrel 8. For this purpose, the support mandrel 8 can be equipped with a stop collar at the end, which prevents the winding section 6a from slipping off the support mandrel 8. It can also be seen that the ejector rod 7 is supported coaxially with the pawl 5 by means of the support mandrel 8. In other words, the pawl 5 also uses the support mandrel 8 to define its rotation axis.

[0035] In this way, the helical torsion spring 6, the bearing mandrel 8 and the ejection rod 7 can define as a whole a structural unit 6, 7, 8. According to this embodiment, the structural units 6, 7, 8 can be fixed together and completely and locked on the housing 10, in particular the lock box 10. In this case, a locking connection 6c, 11 is realized, which in particular comprises, on the one hand, the fixing leg 6c of the helical torsion spring 6 and, on the other hand, the opening 11 in the lock box 10. In addition, the locking pawl 5, which is supported coaxially with the structural unit 6, 7, 8 on the bearing mandrel 8, is fixed in the lock box 10 at the same time.

[0036] In principle, the locking connection can of course also be designed in other ways. In either case, the structural units 6, 7, 8 involved can be locked into engagement with the housing or the lock box 10, thereby achieving a particularly simple and quick installation. Figure 1 In the illustrated installation position in FIG. 8 , the vertex S of the obtuse angle α is arranged in the region of the highest point of the winding section 6 a .

[0037] That is, the winding section 6a on the bearing mandrel 8 is provided with the highest point in the Z direction or the vertical axis direction of the motor vehicle in its installed position in the front view. This highest point roughly coincides with the vertex S of the obtuse angle α of the two legs 6b, 6c of the helical torsion spring 6. As a result, the vertex S in question is directly adjacent to the short L-leg 10b of the lock box 10, so that the short L-leg 10b and thus the helical torsion spring 6 are additionally fixed in this way, so that the helical torsion spring cannot loosen from the bearing mandrel 8 carrying it. This is a major advantage of the invention.

[0038] List of reference numerals:

[0039] Motor vehicle hood lock1

[0040] Front cover 2

[0041] Lock pin 3

[0042] Lock tongue 4

[0043] Stop leg 4a

[0044] Capture Leg 4b

[0045] Locking mechanism 4, 5

[0046] Helical torsion spring 6

[0047] Winding section 6a

[0048] Active Leg 6b

[0049] Legs 6b, 6c

[0050] Ejector rod 7

[0051] Abutting edge 7a

[0052] Lever arm 7b

[0053] Supporting mandrel 8

[0054] Structural units 6, 7, and 8

[0055] Supporting mandrel 9

[0056] Lock Box 10

[0057] L leg 10a

[0058] L leg 10b

[0059] Opening 11

[0060] Vertex S

[0061] Angle α

Claims

1. A motor vehicle locking device, in particular a motor vehicle lock, preferably a motor vehicle hood lock (1), comprising: a locking mechanism (4, 5) mainly comprising a locking tongue (4) and a locking claw (5); an ejector rod (7) preloaded by a spring (6), the ejector rod being used to load a locking pin (3) interacting with the locking mechanism (4, 5), It is characterized in that The spring (6) is designed as a helical torsion spring (6) which is fixed on a supporting mandrel (8) which defines the axis of the ejector rod (7).

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that The helical torsion spring (6) surrounds the support mandrel (8) with its winding section (6a).

3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The helical torsion spring (6) uses its movable leg (6b) to load the ejection rod (7), while the fixed leg (6c) of the helical torsion spring is fixed on the housing (10).

4. The device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that The winding section (6a) is placed on a supporting mandrel (8).

5. The device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that The movable leg (6b) engages with a contact edge (7a) of the ejector rod (7) for the locking pin (3), which contacts the ejector rod.

6. The device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that The fixing leg (6c) engages in a locking manner into an opening (11) in the housing (10).

7. The device according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that The legs (6b, 6c) adjoining the wrap-around section (6a) enclose an obtuse angle (α) with one another.

8. The device according to claim 7, characterized in that The apex (S) of the obtuse angle (α) is arranged in the region of the highest point of the winding section ( 6 a ) in the installed position.

9. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that The ejector rod (7) is supported coaxially with the locking claw (5).

10. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that The helical torsion spring (6) together with the support mandrel (8) and the ejector rod (7) defines a structural unit (6, 7, 8) which can be fixed to the housing (10) in a locking manner.

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